Lockdown uitdagings vir Ouers – 1

Maryke Jooste
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Lockdown uitdagings vir Ouers – 1

Mastering It en Mariska Knoetze het dit goed gevind om tydens die lock down, wat reeds Maart die jaar begin het, ‘n Video reeks aan ouers beskikbaar te maak wat verskeie relevante kwessies rondom Lock down aanspreek. In hierdie onderstaande artikel deel Mariska meer oor: A. Die krag van Positiwiteit teenoor Negatiwiteit, en B. Die verskillende maniere hoe Introverte vs Ekstroverte hierdie lock down tyd hanteer (het).

Ek is Mariska Knoetze.  Ek is ‘n voltydse onderwyseres, ‘n beroepskonsultant en ‘n narratiewe berader.  Maar ek is ook “n Enkelmamma van 6 jarige tweeling seuns.  Ek bly by my ouers en ons maak gelukkig ‘n “mean team” om die dinge aan die gang te hou.Ek dink dit is ‘n voorreg om uit ‘n juffrou en mamma se perspektief te deel wat ons alles saam in hierdie huidige situasie beleef, vrae en kommernisse wat ons het.  Daar is baie waarde daarin om te gesels oor die vrae wat ons saam het.Ek wil wel net noem dat ek ‘n meningspyling uitgestuur het om die inhoud van hierdie werkswinkel te kon kry.  Ek is nie ‘n Genie in a Bottle nie.  Ek het nie antwoorde en oplossings vir alles nie. Maar graag wil ek jou bemoedig en minder hulpeloos te laat voel.
  • Kommernisse en uitdagings (realiteite en feite).
A. Goeie en slegte tye – wat is goeie tye (bespreek opinies daaroor) en wat is slegte tye (bespreek opinies daaroor)Volgens die woordeboek is positiwiteit ‘n werkwoord.  Dit is die teenwoordigheid van ‘n keuse tot jou denke.  Iets wat jy fisies moet kies en doen om die uitkoms te kan  beleef.  Dit is waarom party ouers sê hulle beleef die tyd as goed.Maar om positief te wees is makliker gesê as gedaan. Ek is bevoorreg om omring te wees met my familie wat elkeen ‘n bydra lewer tot die feit om positief te bly.  Vind iets wat jou brein op ‘n positiewe golflengte te kry.  Ek vind dit in skilderkuns, oefeninge, en stiltetyd. En om buite te wees gee vir my baie positiewe energie. Om elke dag op te staan met die wete dat ek die vorige dag reeds beplan het wat ek vandag gaan doen, help baie.  So beplan elke dag produktiewe en lekker aktiwiteite vir die volgende dag.Negatiwiteit in die woordeboek is ook ‘n werkwoord.  Dus is dit iets wat ons kies om te doen. Daarom is daar ouers wat sê die tyd is uitdagend en moeilik.Ek is self al deur my op-dae en af-dae.  Ons is net mens.  Daar is dinge wat ons negatiwiteit “trigger” en dan is dit baie moeilik om uit die “gat” uit te klim.  Daarom het ons mekaar nodig.  Die blote feit dat jy na my luister is ‘n goeie aanduiding dat jy eerder wil kies om positief te wees.B. Ek is gefrustreerd (ekstrovert) om net by die huis te wees. Mis uit (intro- en ekstroverte) op familie geleenthede, verjaarsdae, geboortes, dood.Kom ons wees eerlik met mekaar, ons kan nie ons broodjie aan alle kante gebotter kry nie.  Die tyd is nou maar vir een wat dit is.  Maar wat ons daarmee maak is ons keuse.Ekstroverte mis verseker net die feit om uit te kom en is sekerlik die afgevaardigde winkel uitstappie tegnikus.  Ekstroverte moet uit en moet met ander praat. Dit is hulle behoud en hoe hulle gesnaar is. 5 goed wat ‘n Ekstrovert kan leer by ‘n Introvert:  
  • Spending time alone is self-growth.
  • Appreciate the value of working independently. 
  • Effective listening skills. 
  • Don’t get side tracked easily. 
  • Maintain close relationships/connections.
5 goed wat ‘n Introvert kan leer by ‘n Ekstrovert:
  • Introverts can learn to make conversation like extroverts.
  • Introverts also have an opinion, speak up 
  • Introverts can learn to step outside their comfort zone. 
  • Introverts can deepen conversations. 
  • Introverts can learn to ask for help.
________________________________________________________________________Ons video reeks is ook op Youtube beskikbaar.Sou julle 1-tot-1 sessies wou boek met myself, Maryke Jooste, of Mariska Knoetze, vir enige tipe coaching of ander dienste wat Mastering It bied, is julle welkom om kontak te maak – maryke@masteringit.co.za. Besoek ons webwerf gerus – www.masteringit.co.za Ons hoor graag van julle! Volg ons gerus op Facebook & Instagram ook!

Wilderness : A History

Herman Pienaar
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Wilderness : A History
by Hugo LeggatThere is increasing evidence that the coastal plains of southern Africa were the early home to modern man, Homo sapiens. From here some would have moved out of Africa, ultimately to people the world. Others remained here and their descendants became the hunter-gatherers known to us as San or Bushmen. Figuratively, they trod lightly on the earth and the soft sands of the Wilderness soils contains little of their story but the tale is there to be read in the coastal shell middens, certain caves and the pictorial record in the rock art of the mountains. Later still, the Khoekhoe appeared with their sheep and cattle and it is they who first appear in the written record when Batholomeu Dias rounded the Cape in 1488 and, sighting land near Mossel Bay, mentioned “the many cows, watched by their herdsmen.” Even after the Dutch settlement at the Cape in 1652, it would be more than a century before settlers moved into the area which we call Wilderness. The deep gorges of the Kaaimans and Touw Rivers were always a difficult obstacle to ox wagons and it was only the building of a proper road to Knysna in the late 1860s that opened the lakes area to settlement. This is the road now known as the Seven Passes Route. Although it generally kept to the heights near the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, it did open the forests and, more particularly, made it much easier to get wheeled traffic through the river gorges. In 1877 George Bennett of Liverpool bought land at the mouth of the Touw, built a house and laid out a farm which he named “The Wilderness”. George and Henrietta Bennett built up the farm over the next seven years and had a son and twin daughters before George died in his early thirties. It was a remote spot and Henrietta left to marry her late husband’s cousin in England. It was to be more than thirty-five years before the property again had a resident owner. Until the end of the 19th century Henrietta’s family kept an eye on the property for her, sometimes letting the farmhouse. After the end of the South African War in 1902, The Wilderness was bought by a syndicate headed by Montagu White. He did not live there himself, using his other property “Fancourt”, but he was instrumental in getting the farmhouse running as a guest house. He built White’s Road at a reasonable gradient up the hills above the lagoon and, together with the arrival of the motor car, this put the place on the map. White’s death in 1916, followed by the end of World War I two years later, brought a new beginning to The Wilderness. The property was bought by Wilderness (1921) Ltd, headed by Owen Grant. OG, as he was widely known, settled on the property and immediately set about developing it as a seaside resort with a name that was soon to be known worldwide. It is likely that the romantic legend of the foundation of The Wilderness was circulated at this time. In this story a young man meets the beautiful orphan Theresa and she, insisting on being taken away from “the hauntings of memory”, sang to him from Haydn’s Creation “..In the wilderness build me a nest, let me remain there forever at rest..”. They finally settled here after various trials, tribulations and adventures which included difficult and dangerous wagon journeys over the Outeniquas, the clearing of jungle and a wedding in which Theresa wore “an ancient bridal gown that once had graced her grandmother in the courts of France”! A great story, much better than much which fills many publicity brochures. Most who read it would never know that it was a total figment of the imagination.By the end of the 1920s, the old farm buildings had been transformed into a proper hotel, roads had been laid out, plots had been sold and houses were being built. Many of the thatched rondavels in the village date from that era.On top of all this, the railway from George to Knysna was opened in 1928 with The Wilderness as the only station on the line between George and Knysna. As early as 1932, OG completed negotiations with Union Airways ( the predecessor of SAA ) whereby he hoped that the Wilderness would receive a tremendous impetus. Arrangements were made for an inclusive rate for Wilderness Hotel visitors coming by plane. In some ways much of the basis for the future development of the area was already in place by this time, but there was one exception. Apart from the three railway bridges, there was no proper crossing on the Touw, other than the bridge on the Seven Passes Road. All motor traffic between George and Knysna still travelled on the inland route.Another World War had to be fought before the necessary machinery and finance could be directed to building the initial National Road network. By 1952 the N2 was at last opened and George and Knysna were linked by a tarred coastal road – in a sense the modern infrastructure was complete. Until the coming of the new road, the focus of the village had been towards the lagoon, where the shop, post office and petrol pumps stood at the bottom of the village green. Now all commercial activity swung round to be accessible to the highway. More significant than this was the fact that now a vast new area was opened to development. All the area known as Wilderness East began from this time, to be followed in due course by Kleinkrans and Die Duine. Fortunately, in the mid-1980s the proclamation of the Wilderness National Park placed limits on the destruction of the environment which is the greatest asset of the Wilderness.

Wilderness 100 Festival

LoveGeorge Contributor
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Wilderness 100 Festival
July 2021 marks the Centenary of Wilderness and a public meeting to establish a Centenary Committee to facilitate the  festivities leading up to July next year,  took place last week with Covid-19 protocols in place. Marlene Barnardt, Ward Councilor with Dirk Wessels, Portfolio Councilor for Finance and Strategic Services and Joan Shaw, Tourism Manager shared ideas  with  the attendees. The idea of a Wilderness Centenary was initially suggested by Hugo Leggatt, well known Wildernarian to take place in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic halted all plans in that regard and  George Tourism took the opportunity to support the centenary celebrations for 2021 as means to make up for the economic losses experienced by tourism service providers, following the impact of the the bans on domestic and international travel.Cllr Barnardt noted that a festival will not make up for all of the losses experienced by the tourism industry, but it will go a long way to continue establishing Wilderness as a  destination of choice. “I would love to see a strong focus on wellness which could provide the sustainability to lead to ongoing annual events going forward. There are so many experts in the field of wellness living in Wilderness and with the unique and incredible scenic beauty at our disposal, I could not think of a better way to encourage visitors to Wilderness to enjoy the peace and serenity that attracted the residents in the first place. Wellness tourism is a world-wide trend that has grown tremendously and post Covid-19 will certainly peak interest in a wellness experience that embraces local culture, foods and the natural assets of an area such as Wilderness. I am very excited by the enthusiastic response to the proposed celebrations and trust that ongoing sustainable events that will keep Wilderness on the map, become my legacy as ward councilor.”The concept for the centenary celebrations is to put together several events, possibly as many as 100, that take place over the next few months that lead up to July 2021.  All events that form part of the Centenary will be marketed with a Centenary logo and George Tourism will play a supporting role in terms of the marketing with the Wilderness Ratepayers Association (WRRA).  An event does not have to be a huge happening, it can be as simple as a beach clean-up, a musician at a restaurant or a wine tasting!  Organizations will be responsible for arranging their own events and these events will be coordinated by the Committee to form a part of the overall festivities.  Some of the existing events that have been suggested to form a part of the Centenary programme include: the annual SPCA Woof-a-thon; the Hoekwil Open Gardens, sailing regattas and music evenings.  Other suggestions from the floor included a Centenary Dinner, a soap box derby, beach yoga classes, an Island Lake swim and much more.  One of the highlights of the Centenary will be a launch of Hugo Leggatt’s book on the history of the area which is almost ready to go to print.Cllr Dirk Wessels highlighted that he would like to see the festivities continuing for the whole of 2021.  “The Centenary should lead to sustainable, annual events that will generate an income for local businesses and create jobs, even on a temporary basis,” said Wessels who stressed that what makes Wilderness so special is that it is unique and pristine – a rare offering  that few other regions have.The final committee consisting of volunteers was selected and which included representatives from the community and the Wilderness Ratepayers as members. Chris Boshoff, a local businessman and tourism expert has agreed to act as chair. Regular media releases will keep the public informed of events and activities.Contact either Lindi Harley on lharley@george.gov.za or 044 877 0045 or Chairman Chris Boshoff on boardwalkadmin@global.co.za

Life in Abundance with Adoption

Maryke Jooste
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Life in Abundance with Adoption
The journey of a mother, Lindé Marais, and adoption.Since my years as a teenager in high school, I just knew that adoption would be part of my future one day. It was just something God dropped in my spirit, a little gift box to leave on the shelf until the time was right to open it. Naturally, my future husband had to know about this gift and be open to the idea to walk the journey with me. When my husband and I got engaged we talked about it and he was open to the idea of adoption as well. So, the gift was left on the little shelf in my heart until the time was right. Every new year I ask God if there is something specific He wants for us in the coming year and in 2018 I felt Him whisper into my heart that it was time to learn more about adoption. Get to know the process and read up on what the Word says about it. The more I read up on adoption the more I realized that it has always been part of God’s redemptive plan. God adopted us as His children. He did not ask where we come from and what we did to earn His love, He simply made us His children. Where we come from and what we did before we met Him is now irrelevant, because He is our Father and we are now part of His lineage. It is as if our life before God never happened, we are a new creation conforming to the image of our Father. Jesus saved us, but He did not leave it there! He also adopted us into His family, God’s family. We are now heirs to the throne of Christ. It is in this family that we find life in abundance. Adoption is life in abundance for me. By following the example of my heavenly father our family can experience life in abundance. We are not saving anyone, that is Jesus’s job, we are just stepping into life in abundance. If you are interested in learning more about God’s heart for adoption, I suggest that you listen to 3 sermons on the website of Austin Stone church in Texas.http://new.austinstone.org/resources/sermons/series/49–adoptedI also read Adopted for life by Russel D. Moore and can highly recommend it.

The ABC of Vaccinating your Pet

Maryke Jooste
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The ABC of Vaccinating your Pet
Dr Christiaan Blignaut, Veternarian at George Animal Hospital, shares with us his insight on Pet Vaccination.1. Why must I vaccinate my pet?
  • Protect pets from contagious and often life-threatening diseases (e.g. Parvovirus, Coronavirus, Distemper).  Young puppies especially are at great risk and mortality rates can be high.
  • Protect people from zoonotic disease (disease spread between humans and animals), e.g. Rabies, Leptospirosis.
  • Helps to prevent the spread of controlled diseases (“herd immunity” principle), e.g. Rabies.  Herd immunity = the more animals that are vaccinated against a disease, the less room there is for the virus/bacteria to move and spread, eventually leading to complete elimination of the disease.
2. How do vaccines protect my dog?
  • Certain molecules derived from the pathogen (bacteria/virus), called antigens, are introduced into the body.  These antigens then trigger a reaction from the host’s immune system that leads to the production of antibodies.  These antibodies then help the body ‘remember’ the virus/bacteria in the future, allowing the host’s immune system to attack and destroy the pathogen before it can spread and cause disease.
3. Which vaccines are important and which ones are optional?
  • ‘Core vaccines’ are the ones that are seen as important for all dogs to receive.  These are normally given on an annual basis, although some veterinarians prefer to only inoculate every second year.  Core vaccines normally include two vaccinations – one being the Rabies vaccine and the other commonly known as the ‘5-in-1’ vaccines (which includes 5 pathogens including coronavirus, distemper virus, adenovirus type 2, parvovirus and parainfluenza virus).
  • ‘Non-core vaccines’ are the optional vaccinations.  These vaccinations are given at the owner’s request and depend on the animal’s risk of being exposed (depending on the region where the pet lives, visiting boarding kennels or travelling).  Optional vaccines include the Kennelcough vaccine (Bordetella bronchiseptica), Leptospirosis etc.
    • Kennelcough: Required for travelling per aeroplane and boarding at kennels.  Also if your dog is often exposed to other dogs or if it is prone to developing upper respiratory infections.
    • Leptospirosis: Important in the warmer coastal regions (KZN etc.)
4. When and how often must my dog be vaccinated?
  • The same as with human babies, puppies need to be vaccinated from an early age to prevent their weak immune systems of being exposed.
  • At birth, puppies are protected by maternally derived antibodies (antibodies they received from their mother’s bloodstream and milk), but this form of protection slowly decreases during the first couple of months.
  • Veterinarians must often deal with the trauma of a family losing a young puppy or having to pay large hospital bills, because owners make the mistake of not completing the prescribed vaccination schedule or not vaccinating early enough.  Below is the advised vaccination schedule for new puppies:

Age: Type of vaccine:

6-8 weeks ‘5-in-1’ (1st inoculation) 10-12 weeks ‘5-in-1’ (2nd booster) + Rabies (1st inoculation) 14-16 weeks ‘5-in-1’ (3rd booster) + Rabies (2nd booster)

  • Both vaccines must be repeated annually, thereafter.  (some veterinarians advise boosters every second year, but this is not the viewpoint of the author)
5. Myths and side-effects of vaccinating:
  • My puppy felt sick after being vaccinated – unlikely with modern modified vaccines.
  • My dog is always alone, therefore not at risk – not true, since certain viruses can spread through the air or survive in the soil for months to years.
  • My puppy contracted Canine Parvovirus after it’s first vaccination – possible, but not caused by the vaccine! The animal is only fully protected after the 3rd vaccination was given.  If a puppy is exposed to a disease before this has been accomplished, there is still a risk of contracting the disease.
  • Possible side-effects (very rarely seen): Diarrhoea, vomiting, facial swelling, lethargy.  A mild injection site reaction is more commonly observed.  This manifests as a small lump under the skin, it is not serious and will disappear soon.
You can also listen to Dr Christiaan Blignaut’s Podcasts on a variety of animal topics, on the following platform: https://protectionk9trainingclub.co.za/podcasts/

Add a Blanket of Warmth

Maryke Jooste
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Add a Blanket of Warmth
There’s been a variety of needs in the community these last few months. And the need is increasing. All of us have been affected by the pandemic and some of us are only starting to get back unto our feet. In order for our community to grow as strong as before, or even stronger, we need all the help we can get. Giving doesn’t only come in the form of giving finances but also in perhaps, giving blankets ♥Due to Corona and the lockdown in South Africa, Life Community had to modify what we do to accomplish our objectives of reaching the children. There was no immediate plan, as all our centres were closed and our staff were not allowed out unless they were deemed an essential service. The only permits we could get as an NPO was for our two drivers. Our initial plan was to ask volunteers to make sandwiches in their homes, which were then collected by the drivers and taken to the communities to feed the children at the different stations. This operation grew from feeding on average 450 – 500 children daily in the first week of lockdown, to now feeding approximately 1500 children daily at 11 different food stations. At each lockdown level, we have had to require permits from the local municipality to operate. However, God has been faithful, we have seen the incredible generosity of the many, who have donated finances, food and prayers to support us. We salute and thank each one of the many! We are stronger together. What lays ahead for Life? Life will continue to live and be a bright shining light of hope to the community. Our Life Team and staff are committed to impacting and making a difference in George and our country. So I invite YOU as individuals, families, churches, businesses and corporates to stand in the gap with us, to continue to live. We are stronger together! The Blanket Drive for 2000 blankets that Russel Barends has initiated in partnership with us and Eden FM is a great initiative for individuals, families, small groups and businesses to get involved. Summer is starting later and later in George and surrounds, and well it is still cold, we would love to bless these children who still arrive in shorts and ripped jerseys and no shoes to our food stations with a blanket to keep warm. Please listen to Eden FM to get frequent updates on the drive, as well as follow Life Community on Instagram (@Lifecommunityservices) and Facebook (Life Community Services) for current daily posts too. Blanket Drop off points are as follows:George – Life Community Services 122 Cradock Street, George Drop off Times – Monday – Friday – 08h00 – 16h00 Tel – 0448736601Mosselbay – New Life Church 68 Apiesdoring Street, Heiderand Drop off Times – Tuesday – Friday – 09h00 – 14h00Riversdale – Leef Gemeente 3 Heidelberg Road; Riversdale 6670 Drop off Times – Monday – Friday – 09h00 – 16h00 Tel – 0634292103Knysna – Island Church 46 Waterfront Drive; Knysna Central; 6570 Drop off Times – Tuesday – Thursday – 09h00 – 13h00Ladismith – Ps Melanie 18 Rothman Street; Ladismith Drop off Times – Monday – Friday – 09h00 – 16h00All because of Jesus and the Life He has given to us. WE ARE LIVING AT LIFE. 

Life Through Movement

Maryke Jooste
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Life Through Movement
“Biokinetics is a primary health care treatment in the medical industry and together with Physiotherapy, Chiropractics, Sports physicians and others, forms part of an integrated holistic approach to treatment. Each with its own place and own role in the physical rehabilitation process. If you are unsure of which professional to see, any professional in these industries should be able to direct you.”Jarryd Carter, a Registered Biokineticist, shares with Love George and its readers what Biokinetics is all about. It is definitely not a new health care treatment within the medical industry but for some of us, we are still quite unaware of all its purposes and benefits.So, for starters, what is Biokinetics all about?What does this strange word mean, basically? It’s a tough one for most people, but in simple terms, Biokinetics means Life through Movement (Bio = Life, Kinetics = Movement)Biokinetics is the Science of movement and the application of exercise in rehabilitative treatment of performance. Biokinetics’ primary function is to improve physical functioning and health care through exercise as a modality. Biokinetics is the profession concerned with health promotion, the maintenance of physical abilities and final phase rehabilitation, by means of scientifically-based physical activity programme prescription. (Biokinetics Association of South Africa website)So to put it in simpler terms, Biokinetics uses exercise and movement to treat people where exercise can make a difference to someone’s quality of life.Who is Biokinetics for?Biokinetics is for everyone, as everyone needs to move for health, wellness and sports performance.

Some of the Biokinetics movements as demonstrated by Jarryd.

Biokinetics can be divided into 3 main areas, all of which, Biokineticists are trained and equipped to treat people from all walks of life. These 3 areas are Orthopaedic injuries or developmental issues, Chronic illness, and General wellness.
  • Orthopaedic rehabilitation is a rather broad area of treatment, and it will be for anyone who has general physical aches and pains, has injuries, needs post-operative rehabilitation, and is looking to improve physical performance for sport-specific programming or is looking to prevent injuries or improve posture.
  • Chronic exercise rehabilitation is the area focused on the long term, generally non-communicable diseases such as heart conditions or surgery, and neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease, etc. You will also find that exercise plays a huge role in treatment for different metabolic diseases, such as Hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, etc.
  • Wellness is the third and final sector of Biokinetics. Here we are focused on general wellness, such as weight management and fitness testing for self-maintenance and certain medical aid benefit schemes (e.g. Vitality Fitness Assessments).
There are also a few areas that tend to befall into more than one specific category, such as exercise during and after pregnancy, child exercise programming, and exercise for the elderly.Where did my passion for Biokinetics come from?My, Jarryd Carter, own personal passion and drive for rehabilitation started when I was younger and fell in love with sport and movement in general. Through the years I picked up my fair share of injuries while playing sport at competitive levels from young. It was through this that I found my interest in the medical process of rehabilitation. And I decided to take the route of Sports Science and Biokinetics because I wanted to be involved everywhere possible where exercise and movement are the major areas of focus and primary tool to get people the quality of life they deserve through getting up and moving.Specific to the chronic illness side of things, it was through seeing the difference in people’s lives, as a student, that I began to love it. There is nothing quite like watching a smile return to someone’s face who has lost hope when they achieve something they never thought they could ever again.I also have a massive desire and drive to help athletes and future athletes get to their optimal level and reduce potential injury risks. My expertise from a sports perspective range from almost any ball sport, such as squash, tennis, hockey, cricket etc., to just about anything else, like running and cycling.Considering Biokinetics for yourself or someone you know? Listen up!Biokinetics, being part of the medical industry, is thus also aligned with all major medical aid schemes and plans, and is covered by all medical aids, provided you have medical aid savings.If you feel like Biokinetics could be of assistance to you or perhaps you would just like to find out more about Biokinetics, then where should you start? There are a few places you could go, the first should probably be the Biokinetics Association of South Africa website (www.biokineticssa.org.za), here you can find everything there is to find out about Biokinetics, including where your nearest Biokineticist is. Otherwise, you can go check out my personal website at www.georgebiokinetics.co.za, where you find out a bit more about me, what services I offer and any contact details you may need.To get in touch, find out more or just have a chat to see if Biokinetics can help you pop me an email on carterbiokinetics@gmail.com or call me at 064 550 3189.Jarryd Carter (Registered Biokineticist)Jarryd Carter Biokineticist (PR: 0731595)

From the mouth of an Insurance Broker

Maryke Jooste
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From the mouth of an Insurance Broker

“It is the life experiences and lessons that teach us the most.”

Brad Austen, an Insurance Broker for the last 20 years and currently at MiSure in George, shared some valuable insights with Jean Jooste during an interview on Radio CSA. MiSure is a New Age Brokerage that is all about digital, distribution and sourcing the best premium. Wanting to deliver the best prices at the best premium to clients. Finances are a journey that each of us is on but unfortunately, we learn limited principles during our school education. Brad Austen life by the principle of starting at protecting wealth and then go over to wealth creation. There are also other financial principles that Brad prioritises in his own life and he continues to share that with others: 
  1. Pay (reward) yourself – Each and every one of us work hard for our Money. Therefore, we need to reward ourself for that as well. We need to enjoy the money we work hard for every month. Having a budget is important for this principle as well. Knowing what your total expenses and financial responsibilities are, will give you the liberty to know how much you can afford to spend and enjoy every month as well.
  2. Pay it forward concept – If someone shows you kindness, reward them as well. Recently we’ve all been through some form of financial challenge, especially with the lockdown that started in March this year. Once you reach financial stability again (month-end salary or additional income sources), reward those that have helped you in the past as well. This can be any kind of gesture, for example, baking cookies, a cake, buy flowers, etc.
  3. Know where your money goes – Daily expenditure needs to be taken into account. This might be an admin intensive activity at first but you need to know where your money is going to. Daily, weekly, monthly expenditure needs to be kept in check. This will help with planning where can you cut expenditures, where can you spend more or you can come to the realisation that you can actually afford to save more than you thought.
  4. Compound interest – This is a very powerful principle to be familiar with. It counts for both investments as well as debt. Compound interests are the addition of interests on an amount and work on the basis of interest applied on interest. The greater the capital amount, the greater the interest payable or receivable. That is why it is always advisable to start saving as soon as possible because you will start earning interest on interest. That goes for debt as well – the sooner you pay off your debt (through paying additional per month to cover the capital loan), the less interest you will pay in total at the end.
  5. When buying assets – start small. When looking at assets, buy something that is reliable. Don’t buy a money pit, something that will cost a lot to be kept in a workable condition. Property – there is buyers and seller’s market, know when is which. Understand the town you are in as well. The area in which you buy contributes a lot to the value of your property. Strife to pay off loans as soon possible. Just by adding small amounts per month, can cut the number of years you will pay on your home.
  6. Credit cards – Having a credit card requires great discipline. By using your credit card, you are actually spending money which you don’t have. Decide in advance to only use it for cases of actual emergencies, rather than using it for entertainment or daily expense purposes. 
  7. Set goals – The following percentage are an advisable margin in order to cover the monthly cost and work towards reaching financial goals: 50% of total income: goes toward fixed expenses (tithes are included in this bracket); 30% of total income: for groceries, clothes and other costs; 20% of total income: savings.
  8. Educate self – There is a variety of Educational Facebook pages, Podcasts, Books, Workshops and People from which each of us can learn more about Finances and how to manage our finances well. (MiSure, in partnership with Mastering It, has weekly FREE workshops for you to attend – see details below).
  9. Budgeting – a discipline in order to accomplish your goals and break-downs. 
  10. Have a strategy with your Finances
For more insight to Finances and getting yourself equipped, check into our social media pages:Facebook: Mastering Finance & Insurance Facebook: MiSure / Insurance Broker (https://misure.co.za/) Facebook: Mastering It (www.masteringit.co.za)Start working on your Finances TODAY. Don’t wait for tomorrow or next month or even next year. If you are unsure where to start, chat with someone who can help. It starts will small changes and building up the right financial principles as you go along. Ex. Start with saving R150 per month (or an amount you are comfortable with), and increase as possible. Looking to reach Financial Freedom? It, however, starts with the basics – drafting a budget. You need to tell your money where to go to, instead of not knowing what your money is actually being spent on at all. Start applying these principles and see how your financial stance in life changes!Also feel free to attend a FREE financial workshop, done by MiSure. Every Saturday at 09h00 (online). You can register here or enquire for more details as well – maryke@masteringit.co.za
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George Municipality update on heavy rainfall related incidences

Maryke Jooste
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George Municipality update on heavy rainfall related incidences

 George received welcome rain over the weekend, with the Garden Route Dam area recording 80mm but at the same time, a number of residents were faced with evacuating their homes due to flooding and related issues. Officials were kept busy from the early hours of Sunday morning with the George Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management section providing  73 mattresses, blankets and a pack of 100 facemasks to families temporarily given shelter in the Pacaltsdorp and New Dawn Park Community Halls as well as residents from Wilderness Heights at Hope Church. Certain of these families are from the Moeggeploeg Informal Settlement.

 An informal dwelling in Thembalethu is surrounded by water on Sunday.

The Kat River as seen from Davidson Road on Sunday.

Road near Witfontein impassible following heavy rainfall.

Our Social Development section provided these residents with each with a hot meal on Sunday and today, Monday and we note with gratitude donations of food and blankets from Love George and other members of the public. Not all of the residents chose to stay at the community halls with some preferring to sleepover at family members’ homes or other places. There are currently 85 people (50 adults and 33 children) housed in the Pacaltsdorp Community Hall and 22 housed in the New Dawn Park Community Hall (12 adults and 10 children).

The municipal Disaster Call Centre was inundated with hundreds of calls from residents that were received via the control room and responded to between Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2020.

12 Calls were received for the supply of gunplast, 73 were stormwater-related complaints, two calls were received of roofs that were blown off, five calls regarding motor vehicle accidents were received, seven calls about informal house fires, two calls about formal house fires, one building fire, 216 calls were received about civil engineering and technical complaints and 70 calls were received about electrical faults.

Our Human Settlements division handled approximately 200 complaints yesterday with residents mostly requesting assistance with gunplast. On Sunday, the directorate delivered 111 pieces of gunplast to affected people based on the complaints received.  The remainder of the complaints will be finalised today (Monday, 7 September). The Electrotechnical teams addressed power outages in Wilderness Village, Wilderness East as well as Parkdene and surrounding areas.

The Civil Engineering teams had to do repair work on three roads that were damaged and several pipelines where joints came loose, as a direct result of blockages caused by unwanted objects thrown into the stormwater system which then caused flooding and damage to pipelines. Cleaning operations and repairs are currently underway in all of these cases.  An inlet at Gwaing Sewage Works was blocked due to particles passing through the filters of the pump station. The sea at Ballots Bay was polluted again by the accumulated mess in the Meulen River which was pushed downstream following the heavy rainfall. There were no failures at any of the pump stations along the river that caused a flood or the pollution. The Welgelegen pump station was flooded due to a high inflow with stormwater entering the system and which may have caused damage. The cleaning operation is currently underway.

Municipal Manager, Trevor Botha, thanked all officials for their hard work in the extreme weather conditions and noted that coupled with load-shedding throughout the weekend, as well as having to adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols, it made the work so much more difficult and challenging. Botha thanked the public for their patience and understanding.

A Drive for a Cause

Maryke Jooste
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A Drive for a Cause
“Ons is ‘n lieflike aftree oord en versorging sentrum vir bejaardes. Ons pragtige sentrum is geleë in die hartjie van die Tuinroete in George.”Tuiniqua Care Centre has been caring for the elderly members of George community for over 35 years. We are a registered Non-Profit Organization that cares for the working class older persons of George…..the people responsible for making this great town what it is today! At Tuiniqua Care Centre, we have a passion for creating a safe, loving and community-driven home for the elderly in the area with over 200 residents ranging from independent living to our frail care unit, and all the transitional aspects in between.Covid-19 has knocked us hard financially; our reserves are completely depleted as a result of regulatory compliance as well as an inability to continue with our usual annual fundraising events such as our annual Bazaar.Resident safety, of course, has been our top priority up until this point and now that our protocols are all correctly in place, we once again are looking at new and socially distanced fundraising endeavours. We are currently doing a donation drive (see flyer below) to raise cash donations as well as an Auction that will be held at the end of October by Van Rensburg’s Auction House (a kind donation of services on their part). We are accepting any and all items to be used in this auction….anything at all! It can be your second-hand items from a spring clean, donation of services, gift vouchers, hampers…..literally anything at all! It will be used!We are reaching out to the George community to help us and our residents through this difficult time, so we are able to retain Tuiniqua’s personal stamp of excellence that our residents deserve going forward.Connect with them on Facebook: Tuiniqua Care Centre Or contact Hayley Hook for more information: hhook@tuiniqua.org.za
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